The semi-rigid is distinguished from other types of boats by its two-part design. The submerged part is a conventional hull with inflatable floats to increase buoyancy.
Safety on board
RIBs are often criticized for their inflatable parts, which can appear too fragile. Of course, this inflatable part can be punctured much more easily than the hull of a conventional boat. The material of the float is designed to be resistant, but a big mistake on your part with a hook can still cause a puncture. Take precautions on board, using a landing net can keep a fish away from the bladder when a lure with two treble hooks might get too close. However, advances in component technology now make RIBs unsinkable even when the float is flat.
The low weight of this type of boat makes it easier to handle rough seas, and therefore safer for its occupants. These boats are very popular on the Atlantic coast, where very large waves regularly form.
Fishing comfort
Being able to fish in the best possible conditions on the water is one of the semi-rigid's major assets. Its shape and width make it a very stable boat at standstill and at high speeds. The lightness of the hull allows you to sail above the waves and greatly limits the impact of bumps. Very fast, the semi-rigid is efficient for all types of fishing on the hunt. The boat's low windage also means it can be used more effectively for drift fishing, even without an electric motor, since it will move more slowly than one of its hard-hulled brethren.
The main drawback of a RIB may be the space on board, as the circumference of the float can quickly diminish space, especially on a smaller model. RIBs don't have as much storage space as hard-hulled boats. Although this is still reasonable, you will need to limit the amount of equipment you can take on board this type of boat.
Speed and motorization
The major advantage of a semi-rigid boat is its ability to reach high speeds on the water. The total weight of the hull, float and equipment on board is generally 2 to 3 times less than a hard-hull equivalent. This makes it possible to use smaller engines while maintaining good cruising speed. You can also maximize the boat's potential by using a large engine and create an ultra-fast boat.
In both cases, engine consumption will always be lower than on a much heavier hard-hulled boat. This means big savings on fuel, especially in rough seas. RIBs can easily be fitted with electric motors, and some are even designed with a bracket for this purpose.
